The hurricane center continues to track several systems with tropical potential

ORLANDO, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continued Monday to monitor systems in the Caribbean and Atlantic that could develop into the seasonal depression or tropical storm. However, the NHC ruled out the possibility of a third system developing in the Gulf.

According to the NHC’s 2 p.m. tropical update, a tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean was producing disorganized thunderstorms and strong winds over parts of the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola.

“Environmental conditions are expected to become more favorable for development as the system reaches the western Caribbean Sea and southwestern Gulf of Mexico late this week and into the weekend, and a tropical depression could form during this time,” forecasters said.

The NHC estimates that there is a 40 percent chance that the phenomenon will develop in the next seven days.

In the eastern tropical Atlantic, a second tropical wave produced disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

“Environmental conditions are expected to become somewhat more favorable for development and a tropical depression could form in a few days as the disturbance slowly moves west-northwestward or northwestward over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean,” forecasters said. “This system could produce areas of heavy rain and strong winds over parts of the Cape Verde Islands in the next day or two.”

The NHC estimates a 10 percent chance of it developing in the next two days and a 40 percent chance in the next seven.

The NHC has reduced the chance that a system could develop off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico to 0%.

The broad, weak area of ​​low pressure located just off the central Texas coast continued to produce disorganized rainfall activity along portions of the Texas coast and adjacent waters of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.

“This system is expected to move inland early Tuesday, and no developments are expected. Regardless, heavy rains could cause flash flooding along parts of the Texas coast over the next few days,” forecasters said.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, but peaks from mid-August to October.

So far, the season has produced five named storms, with Francine next on the list.